Bridge-retaining device



March 22, 1927.

G, A. YANTIS' A BRIDGE RETAINING DEVICE Filed June'le, 192e 2 sheets-sheet -1 ttormy March 22 1927' G. A. VAN-ns BRIDGE RETINING DEVICE Filed June l5, 1926 Z'Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Mar. 22, 1927.

UNITED STATES GEORGE A. YANTIS, OF ELMA, TWASHIIIN'GrllON'.

IBRIDG1E-RETAINING DEVICE.

Application filed. June 16, 1926.

This invention relates broadly to an improved dental appliance, to be used in association with fixed or permanent bridge work, and it has more particular reference to an improved means which may be convcniently designated as a bridge retaining device.

Considerable diliiculty is experienced in attempting to properly seat a bridge when the abutment teeth are not parallel with each other, or are otherwise distorted.

What I propose to do, is to so construct the bridge, as to facilitate application, to make a neat job, and to assure permanent maintenance of the bridge, even when the abutment teeth are decidedly out rvof alinement with each other.

An important object of the invention is to make it possible to properly seat a permanent bridge wit-hout distorting the abutment inlays, or the crowns or whatever lis used on the abutment teeth in anchoring the bridges inplace.

A further object is to make it possible to seat a permanent bridgeon abutment teeth that are not parallel with each other without the loss of too much tooth structure on the abutment teeth in trying to make them parallel which is ordinarily essential in order toget a one-piece bridge in place and to provide a neat and perfect fit.

An equally important object is to provide an improved article of manufacture which can be conveniently used by any and all dentists desiring an appliance of this kind, the same being advantageous in that it can be readily associated with the abutment tooth on one side and the adjacent molded dummy tooth.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the fol lowing description and drawings.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same Figure 1 is a View in elevation and section showing the improved placement of the bridge work and the `special retaining or coupling device there-for,

Fig. 2 is a plan View with portions broken away and shown in section to disclose the man-ner in which the parts of the coupling cooperate.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of t-he parts of the coupling.

Serial No. 116,416.y

Fig. 4L is a perspective view of a complemental part of the coupling.

Fig. 5 is a connecting pin.

Fig. 6 is a retaining keyy for the pin.

Fig. 7 is a view showing a slightly modified embodiment of the coupling.

Fig. 8 is a plan view with portions broken away as shown in section of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the parts of the improved coupling.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the complemental part.

Attention is first directed to Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive. In Fig. l, and also Fig. 2, it will be seen that the reference characters 1 and' 2 designate Ya pair of permanent stationary abutment teeth between which the bridge, designated generally by the reference character 3, is adapted to be mounted. The bridge comprises a dummy tooth 5, and a retaining crown 7 and inl-'ay 19. These parts are of somewhat conventional form.v As represented in Fig. 1, it will be seen that the abutment teeth are somewhat out of alinenient, making it unusuallydifiicult for ordinary bridgework construction to seat the bridge on these teeth.

In accordance with my idea, as before stated, I employ animproved coupling between the abutment tooth 2 for instance, and the complemental dummy 5. ,As shown in the figures nowl under consideration, the coupling comprises a section or part 8 and a complemental section 9. The part 8 is someu what in the form of a metal boxing and this includes right angular branches 11 and 12 respectively. The branch 11 ispreferably rectangular or any desired shape in cross section, while the branch 12 is cylindrical or any shape. These branches are braced somewhat by a reinforcing web 13 used to make it easier for soldier or casting metalto flow around it in the construction of a ridge. On the open end of the branch 12 is a square, or any desired shape, outstanding flange 1/1. The part 9v comprises a cup 15 forming a keeper seat and an outstanding rectangular, or any shaped, flange 16 to bear against the complemental flange 14. In addition, the improved retaining device or coupling includes a cylindrical or any shaped (square, rectangular) pin 17 and a rectangular or any shaped key 18. In practice, the parts 9 which include the keepercups 15 is embedded in the inlay (or any other kind of abutment that is desired) 19 in the abutment tooth 2 with the open side of the cup disposed toward the left as shown in Fig. l. The complemental part 8 is embedded in the dummy at the time the latter is formulated.

In this connection, it is to be stated that it is necessary to plug the open ends of the branches 11 and 12 during the construction (casting or soldering) process in order to prevent them from becoming clogged. Any suitable filler (preferably graphite points) may be employed for this purpose. Obviously, when the two parts are thus anchored to the respective parts of the bridge, the bridge can be readily seated by placing the crown 7 on the abutment tooth 1 and bringing the two flanges 14 and 16 into meeting contact as shown in the drawings.

At this time, the cylindrical coupling pin 17 is in place, but the inlay 18 is removed. This allows the pin 17 to be pushed back into the branch 11 so that it will not project and interfere with the assembling of the bridge. However, in order to project this coupling 17 in order to effect a lock, it is pushed outwardly by suitable instrument, and then the key 18 is cemented into position to hold the pin in place.

During the process of assembling the bridge, the anges 14 and 15 prevent solder or casting gold to flow in the socket and help it to iiow to the desired area. In Figs. 7 land 8, the reference characters 2O and 2l represent the abutment teeth and 22 and 23 the dummies. In this form, a coupling is substantially the same, one part being indicated by the reference character 24 and the complemental parts by the reference character 25. The part 24 includes a rectangular or any other shaped branch 26 and a right angularly extending cylindrical or any other shaped i'iange 27 both of which are connected together by reinforcing webs 28. On the other hand, the part 25 is simply in the form of a cup. In fact, the only difference between the two embodiments is the omission of the flanges la and 1G in the embodiment represented in Figs. 9 and 1.0. lIhe products can be manufactured with or without the flanges or both ways. The flanges are of no great advantage in casting around them but are advantageous in soldering. rIhe method of installation of the last named embodiment is the same as that previously explained.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that I have evolved and produced a novel coupling to facilitate assembling of bridge work, where the abutment teeth are not at proper angles to each other to facilitate installation of the bridge. The construction of the improvement is such that it permits the production of a removable joint between the two abutment teeth so that they may move independently of each other in functioning. The invention is inexpensive and practical, and operates efficiently, and is equally eflicient to handle by a dentist. It is highly desirable in the construction of a two piece bridge.

A further advantage, is in being able to lock the pieces of the bridge together permanently after they have been attached. A still further advantage is in casting or soldering the bridge, as the case may be, on the attachment while the parts of the attachment that are to be cast or soldered to are in their respective relation to the parts of the bridge without undue trouble.

It is belived that the construction, and methods of installation and advantages of the invention will become apparent after reading the description in connection with the drawings. For this reason, a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary.

Minor changes coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to if desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is l. As a new article of manufacture, means for effecting a connection between a bridge tooth and an adjacent complemental abutment tooth, said means comprising a keeper adapted to be carried by one of said teeth, a connecting pin adapted to have one end seated in said keeper, a complemental part adapted to be carried by the remaining tooth, said part including a socket for slidable reception of said pin, socket being of a length to allow the pin to be slid entirely withinthe socket in order to disconnect the pin from the keeper, and retaining means slidably mounted in said complement-al part and separate and independent from said pin and adapted to abut one end of the latter.

2. As a new article of manufacture, means affording a connection between a bridge tooth and an abutment tooth, a special coupling comprising a keeper adapted to be mounted upon one of the teeth, a complemental part including a socket, a pin slidable in said socket and adapted to be received, at one end in said keeper, and a removable key associated with said part and with said pin for maintaining the pin in place.

3. As a new article of manufacture, a bridge coupling of the class described comprising a cup adapted to serve as a. keeper, a complemental part including right angular branches, a connecting pin slidable in one of the branches and adapted to have one end projected into said keeper, and a retaining key for reception in the other branch and adapt-ed to hold said pin in place.

4i. As a new article of manufactura, a bridge coupling of the class described comprising a cup adapted to serve as a keeper, a complemental part including right angular branches, a connecting pin slidable in one of the branches and adapted to have one end projecting into said keeper, a retaining key for reception in the other branch and adapted to hold said pin in place, one of said branches being cylindrical in cross section, said pin also being cylindrical, the remaining branch being rectangular in cross section and said key being rectangular in cross section.

5. As a new article of manufacture, a

l tooth bridge coupling comprising a cup provided with an outstanding flange at its open end, a complemental part embodying right singularly disposed hollow branches, a connecting and reinforcing ridge between said branches, an outstanding flange carried by the open end of one of the branches, a coupling pin, and a retaining key.

In testimony whereof I aiiiX my signature.

GEORGE A. YANTIS. 

